Could You Walk On Water?
When you follow the teachings of Jesus you need great courage. People throughout history have been persecuted for their Christian beliefs. The culture today is no different. Even the strongest person of faith becomes doubtful. How do we keep our eyes focused on Jesus, and why is it so important to share our challenges?
There is a lake on our property. As I look out the windows of our home, I can see a peninsula jutting out into the water. Placed in the middle of that small piece of land is an enormous rock. When we first looked at the site in 2013, the stone caught my attention. I was reminded of the scripture from 1 Peter 2:7-8. “ The stone rejected by the builder has become the cornerstone. A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.” Of course people laughed when I took this as a sign to buy the property, but here we are!
Cardinal Timothy Dolan wrote a book titled: To Whom Shall We Go? Lessons from the Apostle Peter – The words and actions of this great disciple remind us that it is important to be willing to serve Christ and His Church. Peter is recorded in scripture more than any of the other disciples. We first knew him as a fisherman named Simon. In the Gospel of Luke, we read that Jesus told Peter to cast his net over the boat after a long night of unsuccessful fishing. Such a large number of fish was caught that he dropped to the feet of Jesus in awe. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” Jesus changed his name to Cephas, or the rock, as Peter acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus said….”you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” M
(Matthew 16:18)
Peter’s faith allowed him to walk on water, until he lost confidence in himself, took his eyes off Jesus, and fell. He stood beside Jesus at the Transfiguration. He organized the Last Supper, and then he denied Jesus three times, just as the Lord predicted. He prayed with Him at Gethsemane in the Agony of the Garden. He was also the first disciple to see Jesus after the Resurrection. He preached to the first crowds at Pentecost, and then he performed the first miracle in the name of the Lord. He brought the Gospel to the Gentiles, making the new Church universal. He also baptized the Roman Pagan, Cornelius. For all this and more, he was imprisoned by King Herod, but he was rescued by an angel.
When Jesus told Peter to cast out into the deep water, He was encouraging him to strive for perfection, to be daring, and to trust in Him. Don’t let the world drag you into safe shallow water. The Church encourages us to be sanctified with heroic virtue by asking us to put ourselves out into the deep, to be challenged. Saint Peter’s life was an example of the Paschal Mystery – dying to self, rising to new life, and conforming to the life of Christ. We are all called to do the same.
It is certain that Peter died in Rome during the reign of the Emperor Nero, in the year 64. There is credible testimony, which states that he was crucified on the Vatican Hill. He asked to be hung upside down, because he did not feel worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. Excavation under St. Peter’s Basilica unearthed his likely tomb, and relics are enshrined under the high altar in St. Peter’s. The chief feast day of our first Supreme Pontiff is June 29. Be courageous and desire God with the heart of St. Peter who answered Jesus, “Lord, to whom else shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
